The city represents craftsmen-turned
entrepreneurs who have made Sialkot the only export-oriented city of the country

A strategy is being finalised for
tracking the agricultural tools manufacturing industry on modern lines and its
up-gradation in Punjab.

Official sources told The Page recently
that under the programme the government would extend all possible technical
support and guidance for the up-gradation and capacity building to the
manufacturing units producing agricultural tools in Punjab.

Special attention would also be laid on
up-gradation of existing industrial units of Daska Tehsil of Sialkot district
which is a hub and famous for manufacturing of various types of agricultural
gears with traditional technology and catering the requirements of farmers
community since long in Punjab.

Keeping in view the importance and
skill of agricultural tools manufactures, the Punjab government has decided to
extend full support, guidance and loan facility to the manufacturers engaged
with the manufacturing of agricultural machinery for modernisation and
upgradation of their industrial units enabling them to fulfil the domestic needs
more easily.

The government had already initiated an
action plan for extending loan facilities to the SMEs and other interested
persons intending to establish new industrial units including agro-based
industries. The government had set aside more than Rs 8 billion for providing
loan facilities to the SMEs and other interested persons for upgrading of their
existing industrial units and for setting up of new units in Punjab.

The government was motivating the
agricultural tool manufacturers that they should avail the loan facilities and
concessions for advancement of their industrial units and capacity building, the
sources added.

Vice President Sialkot Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Sheikh Ejaz Ahmad Soni has said that Sialkot
represents craftsmen-turned entrepreneurs who had made Sialkot the only
export-oriented city of Pakistan.

Addressing foreign delegations during
their visit to Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said Sialkot is
producing best quality of footballs, hockey sticks and cricket gear which are
being used in all international games including World Cup and Olympics. Most of
the developed countries were importing surgical instruments from Sialkot for
re-export purpose under their own brand names, he informed the visitors.

Ejaz said that this export-oriented
city and hub of cottage industry is competing with other countries in quality
and style of all items.

About 40 per cent share of the total
ISO-9000 certified companies in Pakistan proves that Sialkot's business
community is much conscious about the quality of products, he pointed out. The
SCCI VP further informed that Sialkot voluntarily contributed some share against
their export for face lifting and construction of main arteries of the city
while constructing Sialkot International Airport on totally self-support basis.

The visitors while expressing their
views highly appreciated the efforts of the business community of Sialkot
towards social sector for building roads and other mega projects. They also
appreciated the skill and craftsmanship of the industrial workers for producing
and maintaining the quality of products.